McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Emily Daniels was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the exceptional care nurses provide every day.
The nomination, submitted by a patient, read as follows:
“Emily took care of me while I was on the eighth floor with a bad Crohn’s flare-up. She did an amazing job; caring, attentive, kind, on time, fast, and courteous. You can tell she cares. She is clearly not just a great nurse but an amazing woman and human being. She is what every nurse should strive to be like.”
Daniels was recognized by hospital leadership and coworkers and received a certificate commending her for being an “Extraordinary Nurse,” as well as a sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Daniels began her nursing career in early 2023 at McLaren Greater Lansing in the medical surgery unit at the hospital and was honored to be recognized as an outstanding nurse.
“Since I started nursing school and my career, I always said it was my mission to always provide the best care for the people who need me, not just see them as a patient, but as a person,” said Daniels. “To be recognized for the care that I strive to give every day is so heartwarming and I’m very grateful.”
About the DAISY Award
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman work they do. The kind of work the nurses at McLaren Greater Lansing are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”